Updated Thursday: Storm Watch Hercules — With Rockland County weather predicted to take a snowy turn, the Village of Suffern has put into effect Snow Parking Regulations for the village, especially around the village center, due to the impending winter weather. The No Parking on village roadways will be in effect from Wednesday night through Friday, January 3.

Additionally, Suffern Village Hall at 61 Washington Avenue will be used as a Warming Center through Friday, January 3.

Residents can visit the top floor Community Room, which will be heated.

Call the Suffern Police Department at 845-357-2300 with any questions or concerns.

There will be no garbage or recyclables picked up on Friday, January 3, so the Village of Suffern has requested that residents refrain from putting any containers curbside as they may interfere with plow service. Vehicles parked on the village roadsides should also be moved to make room for snow plows.

The Suffern Police Department may ticket vehicles that disregard the No Parking on village roadways notice.

Ed Day is scheduled to become the new Rockland County Executive when he’s sworn into office on New Year’s Day in a ceremony at the Rockland County Fire Training Center. Day has invited the public to attend the 11 a.m. inauguration, which will feature “first come, first served” seating.

The Warren residence in Sloatsburg suffered substantial damage due to a sudden basement fire that traveled up the interior walls to the attic.

Just as a Sloatsburg family was settling down for the night and all ready to host holiday guests, a basement blaze changed everything in a New York minute. Continue Reading

Update: As of December 19, the Boil Water Alert for Johnsontown Road and two streets in Sloatsburg has been lifted. Residents living in the effected areas may resume normal water consumption.  

Boil, boil, toil, and trouble.

Rockland County Emergency Management has issued a United Water Boil Water Advisory for Johnsontown Road in unincorporated Ramapo, adjacent to Sloatsburg along Seven Lakes Drive. The NYAlert went out at 7:15 p.m. Saturday. The boil water alert concerns a water main break — residents on Johnsontown Road and #68, #70, #72, and #101 Seven Lakes Drive are advised to boil all water used for food preparation, cooking and drinking. Bath at your leisure.

For additional information regarding the boil water advisory please visit the United Water website.

The Ramapo Central School Board has experienced some topsy turvy this year with the departure of two board members.

Ramapo Central BOE during 2013 budget meetings. Board President Craig Long sits in the middle of the table.

The recent resignation from the BOE of Suffern Police Chief Clarke Osborn caused some community concerns about the district’s direction, especially coming in conjunction with the recent NY State Comptroller audit report that stated the district   had some $16 million dollars on books in “excess funds,” representing some 13% of the “subsequent school year’s budget.” Continue Reading

Midway down Johnsontown Road, where the old horse stable and farm with the black walnut trees rest, a hive of activity was taking place Tuesday. As the sun started its dip below the leafless tree line and a woody chill blew in, the set locked down and cast and crew got ready to begin shooting for the day (and into the night). Continue Reading

Pat O’Brien of the Sloatsburg Seniors lights the birthday cake for Mary Buckley’s 100th Birthday.

To read through the proclamation is to wander casually through a rich and expansive moment in time — the 20th century in all its panoramic color. Black and white momentos of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. New Jazz Age sounds and the incorporation of Sloatsburg itself in 1929. Soldiers and people parading through the streets of Suffern, leaving for foreign lands and returning flush with experiences. Continue Reading

Rockland County Fire and Emergency Services Director Gordon Wren Jr., at podium, with Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco to discuss Clausland. Photos: Craig Sherman & Bill Demarest

The Clausland Mountain brush fire was finally contained and doused – with a little help from the weather.

A spark on a mountain in Blauvelt State Park turned into an aggressive fire that tested county resources and eventually turned into a showcase for the Rockland County rescue and response communities as they united and swiftly went to work on the Clausland Mountain rings of fire. Continue Reading

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, and Rockland County Legislature member John Murphy, R-Orangetown, help welcome visitors at the grand opening of the Rockland County Homes For Heroes at an abandoned Tappan military base.

Veterans Day 2013: Sen Charles Schumer says no American veteran should go homeless

TAPPAN -U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, who helped cut through federal red tape to make the Rockland Homes For Heroes project possible, on Sunday helped cut the red ribbon for the grand opening of new apartments on the site of a former military base that now provides housing for veterans who were facing homelessness. Continue Reading

On a recent late October day, just as the leaves popped in their bright reds, a few Friends of Harmony Hall took a hike up to Liberty Rock Park. The idea was to participate in a community clean up of the recent litter party whose remnants were still scattered about on the Sloatsburg overlook rock outcrop. Continue Reading